Curon Medical Expands Stretta Procedure to European Marketplace

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 26 /PRNewswire/ --
Curon Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: CURN) today announced that the first commercial
Stretta System(TM) procedures have been successfully completed in Europe. The
procedures were performed by Dr. Chris B. Feretis at the Hygeia Hospital in
Athens, Greece. Dr. David Utley, Chief Medical Officer of Curon Medical was
present during the cases and provided the initial training for the physician.
Additionally, four sites, based at the University Hospital of Bologna, Italy,
University Hospital Leuven, Belgium, University Hospital Munich, and HSK
Klinikum Wiesbaden, in Germany, received training on the Stretta System and
have begun to treat patients as part of a trial focused on developing support
for reimbursement of the procedure in these countries.
"The overwhelming response from the physicians has been the ease of the
procedure itself and the positive outcomes seen in our clinical trials,"
stated Dr. David Utley, Chief Medical Officer of Curon Medical. "We are
pleased by the acceptance of this novel procedure and anticipate continued
growth of physician training and patient cases in Europe through the multiple
"Centers of Excellence."
Based on the success of the treatments, each center has agreed to become a
"Center of Excellence" for patient care in providing the Stretta Procedure.
The facilities holding this status will meet a number of requirements
including continued physician training opportunities, serving as a regional
referral point for patients seeking the Stretta Procedure, and producing
original research to further develop the procedure.
"My colleagues and I found the Stretta Procedure to be a strong treatment
option for those patients who suffered from chronic heartburn," stated Dr.
Chris B. Feretis, from the Hygeia Hospital in Athens, Greece; the first
physician to perform commercial cases in Europe. "The Stretta Procedure, as
performed in the United States, has demonstrated successful patient outcomes
over the past year and we are looking forward to continuing this trend here in
Europe."
About Curon Medical, Inc.
Curon Medical, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., develops, manufactures and
markets innovative proprietary products for the treatment of gastrointestinal
disorders. The company's products consist of radiofrequency generators and
single-use disposable devices. Its first product, the Stretta System,
received United States Food and Drug Administration clearance in April 2000
for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as
GERD. For more information, please visit the Company's Web site at
http://www.curonmedical.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements about Curon Medical,
Inc., which are based on current expectations that involve risks and
uncertainties. Curon Medical's actual results may differ from the results
described in the forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ include, but are not limited to our inability to obtain
follow-up data on the Stretta System randomized control study, longer term
clinical data failing to support data collected to date, and delays in the
completion of the U.S. multi-center clinical trial of the Secca System. These
and other risk factors are detailed in Curon Medical's periodic reports and
registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts:
John W. Morgan Media Relations:
President and CEO Kesinee Yip
Curon Medical, Inc. Noonan/Russo Communications
(408) 733-9910 (415) 677-4455, ext. 244
jmorgan@curonmedical.comk.yip@noonanrusso.com
Alistair F. McLaren Investor Relations:
Vice President, CFO Ana Kapor
Curon Medical, Inc. Noonan/Russo Communications
(408) 733-9910 (415) 677-4455, ext. 207
amclaren@curonmedical.com a.kapor@noonanrusso.com
MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT -- Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X38876113

SOURCE Curon Medical, Inc.

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 26 /PRNewswire/ --
Curon Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: CURN) today announced that the first commercial
Stretta System(TM) procedures have been successfully completed in Europe. The
procedures were performed by Dr. Chris B. Feretis at the Hygeia Hospital in
Athens, Greece. Dr. David Utley, Chief Medical Officer of Curon Medical was
present during the cases and provided the initial training for the physician.
Additionally, four sites, based at the University Hospital of Bologna, Italy,
University Hospital Leuven, Belgium, University Hospital Munich, and HSK
Klinikum Wiesbaden, in Germany, received training on the Stretta System and
have begun to treat patients as part of a trial focused on developing support
for reimbursement of the procedure in these countries.
"The overwhelming response from the physicians has been the ease of the
procedure itself and the positive outcomes seen in our clinical trials,"
stated Dr. David Utley, Chief Medical Officer of Curon Medical. "We are
pleased by the acceptance of this novel procedure and anticipate continued
growth of physician training and patient cases in Europe through the multiple
"Centers of Excellence."
Based on the success of the treatments, each center has agreed to become a
"Center of Excellence" for patient care in providing the Stretta Procedure.
The facilities holding this status will meet a number of requirements
including continued physician training opportunities, serving as a regional
referral point for patients seeking the Stretta Procedure, and producing
original research to further develop the procedure.
"My colleagues and I found the Stretta Procedure to be a strong treatment
option for those patients who suffered from chronic heartburn," stated Dr.
Chris B. Feretis, from the Hygeia Hospital in Athens, Greece; the first
physician to perform commercial cases in Europe. "The Stretta Procedure, as
performed in the United States, has demonstrated successful patient outcomes
over the past year and we are looking forward to continuing this trend here in
Europe."
About Curon Medical, Inc.
Curon Medical, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., develops, manufactures and
markets innovative proprietary products for the treatment of gastrointestinal
disorders. The company's products consist of radiofrequency generators and
single-use disposable devices. Its first product, the Stretta System,
received United States Food and Drug Administration clearance in April 2000
for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as
GERD. For more information, please visit the Company's Web site at
http://www.curonmedical.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements about Curon Medical,
Inc., which are based on current expectations that involve risks and
uncertainties. Curon Medical's actual results may differ from the results
described in the forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ include, but are not limited to our inability to obtain
follow-up data on the Stretta System randomized control study, longer term
clinical data failing to support data collected to date, and delays in the
completion of the U.S. multi-center clinical trial of the Secca System. These
and other risk factors are detailed in Curon Medical's periodic reports and
registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts:
John W. Morgan Media Relations:
President and CEO Kesinee Yip
Curon Medical, Inc. Noonan/Russo Communications
(408) 733-9910 (415) 677-4455, ext. 244
jmorgan@curonmedical.comk.yip@noonanrusso.com
Alistair F. McLaren Investor Relations:
Vice President, CFO Ana Kapor
Curon Medical, Inc. Noonan/Russo Communications
(408) 733-9910 (415) 677-4455, ext. 207
amclaren@curonmedical.com a.kapor@noonanrusso.com
MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT -- Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X38876113
SOURCE Curon Medical, Inc.